JP3437417B2 - Automatic dial system, access point system, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automatic dial system for automatically dialing and connecting to a plurality of access points, an access point system, and a recording medium.

In recent years, the cost of computer systems has been reduced.
With the increase in the penetration rate, not only the conventional personal computer communication but also the Internet have become popular. Therefore, there is a demand for efficient access without being affected by line congestion.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional line connection has a method of dialing one telephone number and retrying if it is busy.

However, the number of users is increasing due to the spread of the Internet, and access is concentrated in the middle of the night when the line charge is cheap, and the line is often not connected in a busy state. It is expected to increase.

[0005]

Therefore, if the same telephone number is redialed many times when it is busy, or the telephone numbers set in the table are redialed in order, it is easy to connect the telephone numbers and connection charges. There was a problem such as not being able to preferentially connect to a cheaper telephone number.

The present invention solves these problems.
The purpose is to dynamically obtain and update the connection success rate of multiple access points, not to connect during the service suspension period, and to realize automatic connection efficiently even if the line is congested.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means for solving the problems will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the connection means 3 is composed of a calling means and an updating means, and when the time zone file 5 is referred to, a telephone number having the highest priority is called, or when a call is made to make a connection or the connection fails. The connection success rate is calculated and updated.

The time zone file 5 is for registering the success rate of connection, the presence / absence of operation stoppage, and the charge in association with the telephone number for each time zone. Next, the operation will be described.

The calling means constituting the connection means 3 makes a call in order from the telephone number of the highest connection success rate belonging to each time zone set in the storage means, and the updating means constituting the connection means 3 The memory of the connection success rate is updated based on the connection result.

At this time, the storage means newly provides a call charge per unit time, and when the calling means has a telephone number with the same success rate of success, the one with the lowest call charge is called first. I am trying.

Further, there is provided a setting means for setting the operation stop time zone of the server and the identification information for identifying the access point to stop the operation, and an operation stop flag indicating that there is an operation stop time zone is added to these information. Then, a transmitting means for transmitting to a terminal that has accessed the server in a predetermined format is provided.

At this time, when the receiving means receives the operation stop flag, it receives a message from the server including the identification information of the access point created in a predetermined format and the operation stop time zone information, and identifies the access point. Setting means for setting a line connection to the access point not to be performed during the operation suspension time period based on the information and the operation stop information, and a calling means for connecting a line to the access point based on the setting content And is set.

Therefore, the connection success rate of a plurality of access points is dynamically obtained and updated, and the connection is not made during the service suspension period, so that automatic connection can be efficiently realized even if the line is congested. It will be possible.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments and operations of the present invention will be sequentially described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of the present invention.
Here, the program is read from a recording medium (not shown) (recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a cassette tape, a floppy disk), loaded into the main memory of the computer system, activated, and various processes described below are executed. I have to. In FIG. 1, the display device 1 displays various data and the like. The processing device 2 performs various processes based on a program, displays various data on the display device 1, and the like, and is configured by the connection means 3 and the like here.

The connection means 3 refers to the access point file 4 and the time zone file 5 to call the telephone number having the highest priority, or when the call is made and the connection or connection fails, the connection success rate. It is something that is updated and so on. Here, the connecting means 3 is composed of a calling means and an updating means.

The access point file 4 is for setting the telephone number of the access point, the service stop time, and the like. The time zone file 5 sets a connection success rate, a connection failure flag, a charge, etc. in association with a telephone number for each time zone.

A MODEM / TA (modem / terminal adapter) 6 is used for communication with an access point 8 via a network 7. In the case of an analog line, a modem or ISDN line which is a modulator / demodulator. Is a terminal adapter for transmitting and receiving digital data.

The network 7 is various lines and is used for calling and connecting to a predetermined access point 8 by a telephone number to perform various communications. Access point 8
Various services are provided through the network 7, for example, services such as the Internet and personal computer communication are provided, and access points AP-1 to AP
It is composed of P-n and the like.

Next, the operation of the configuration of FIG. 1 will be described in detail in the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, S1 inputs an access point name or a telephone number. In S2, calls are made in the descending order of priority, which has no connection disable flag. At this time, if the connection success rate is the same, the one with the lower charge is called. This is S1
Based on the access point name and telephone number entered in
For example, referring to the time zone file 5 of FIG. 6 which will be described later, if the connection impossibility flag is 0 (representing the service stop time),
Also, the telephone numbers of the access points are sequentially called in descending order of priority, that is, in descending order of successful connection.

In step S3, it is determined whether the connection is successful. This is S
It is determined whether the connection is successful or not in response to the call of 2. In the case of YES, a connection success process ((a) of FIG. 4 described later) is performed in S4, communication is performed and a service stop message is collected in S5 (FIG. 7 described later). On the other hand, if NO,
In S6, the connection failure process ((b) of FIG. 4 described later) is performed,
It returns to S2 and repeats calling to the telephone number of the next priority.

As described above, when the access point name or the telephone number is input, the connection failure flag is 0 and the connection success rate is referred to by referring to the time zone file 5 of FIG. 6 and the access point file 4 of FIG. 5 described later. Calls are made in the descending order (lowest charges when the connection success rate is the same),
By performing the connection process ((a) in FIG. 4) or the connection failure process ((b) in FIG. 4) and dynamically updating the connection success rate, even if the line is congested, efficient and automatic connection is established. It becomes possible. The details will be sequentially described below.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for setting the connection disable flag of the present invention. In FIG. 3, S11 collects the current time. S12 searches for an access point.

In step S13, it is determined whether the service stop time is applicable. In the case of YES, the connection impossible flag of each time zone file is set in S15, and the processing is ended. On the other hand, in the case of NO, the process ends.

As described above, when it is determined that the current time belongs to a predetermined time zone of one hour, for example, one day is 24 hours, based on the access point file 4 shown in FIG. By setting the connection-disabled flag of the corresponding entry of the time zone file 5 of FIG. 6 described later to 1 and excluding the entry whose connection-disabled flag is 1 in FIG. Calls can be stopped during the stop time period, and unnecessary calls can be eliminated.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of connection success / connection failure processing of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a connection success processing flowchart. This is a detailed flowchart of the connection success process in S4 of FIG.

In FIG. 4A, S41 counts up the number of times of dialing. This is S3 in FIG.
If YES and the connection is successful, the dialing count is incremented, for example, the dialing count of the time zone file 5 in FIG. 6 is incremented by one.

In step S42, the number of successful connections is counted up. This increments the number of successful connections of the time zone file 5 of FIG. 6, for example. In S43, the connection success rate is calculated.
This calculates the connection success rate according to the following formula.

Successful connection rate = (Number of successful connections) / (Number of times of dialing) × 100% S44 updates each time zone file. This is S4
1, the number of dialing counted up in S42, the number of successful connections, and the successful connection rate calculated in S43, the content of the corresponding entry of the corresponding time zone file 5 in FIG. 6 is updated.

In step S45, the service stop message is received. It receives a service stop message from the access point after successful connection and communication. S4
6 analyzes the service stop message.

In step S47, the service stop time of the access point file is updated. This updates the content of the service stop time column of the access point AP-2 of Suzu 5, which will be described later, for the service stop time analyzed in S46.

As described above, when the connecting means 3 of the processing device 2 calls and connects to the access point via the network 7, the number of dialing times of the entry of the connected access point in the time zone file 5 of FIG. , Count the number of successful connections, calculate and update the successful connection rate, receive a service stop message from the access point, analyze this, and analyze the service stop time of the calling access point in the access point file 4 in FIG. By updating, it becomes possible to dynamically update the connection success rate and the presence or absence of the service stop time.

FIG. 4B shows a connection failure processing flowchart. This is a detailed flowchart of the connection failure processing in S6 of FIG. In FIG. 4B, S61
Increases the number of dialing times. this is,
When NO in S3 of FIG. 2 and the connection fails, the dialing count is incremented, for example, the dialing count of the time zone file 5 in FIG. 6 is incremented by one.

In step S62, the connection success rate is calculated. This calculates the connection success rate according to the following formula. Success rate = (Successful connection count) / (Number of dials) x 1
00% S63 updates each time zone file. This is S6
Number of dialing counted up by 1, S62
The content of the corresponding entry of the corresponding time zone file 5 of FIG.

As described above, when the connection means 3 of the processing device 2 makes a call to the access point via the network 7 and the connection fails, the entry diagram of the connected access point in the time zone file 5 of FIG. By counting up the number of rings and calculating and updating the connection success rate,
It is possible to dynamically update the connection success rate.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the access point file of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the access point file 4 is for registering the following items in association with index numbers.

Access point: -Phone number: -Service stop time-Others As described above, the access point, the phone number and the service stop time are registered in the access point file 5,
When the access point is designated, the corresponding telephone number is taken out to make a call, or when the time taken from the timer is found to be within the service stop time zone, the connection in the corresponding time zone file 5 of FIG. 6 is performed. The disable flag is set to 1 (representing the suspension of operation). When the connection disable flag is set to 1, the entry is excluded from the call target.

FIG. 6 shows the time zone file (0: 0) of the present invention.
0 to 1:00) example is shown. The time zone file 6 is for registering the following items in association with the index. -Number of dialing times: -Number of successful connections: -Successful connection rate: -Connection impossible flag-Billing: Here, when the connection impossible flag is "1", the telephone number of the entry is not called.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation stop message transmitted from the server system of the access point and displayed on the screen of the personal computer of the user having the user ID "ABC01234".

Here, "▲ operation stop information" in the figure serves as a flag indicating the presence or absence of operation stop information, and "start" and "end" in parentheses in the flag respectively indicate operation stop information. Indicates the start position and end position of. If the communication software in the user's PC (corresponding to "receiving means" in claim 4) detects this message in the information to be downloaded, it will change from "▲ operation stop information (start)" to "▲ operation stop information". Download the information created in the standard format in (End).

The communication software in the user's personal computer (corresponding to the "setting means" in claim 4) analyzes the downloaded operation suspension information, and in the case of FIG. 7, the access point in operation suspension is "AP. -2 ”, the operation stop start time is 0:00 am on May 25, 1996, and the operation stop end time is 3:30 am on the same day. For example, in the access point file (see FIG. 5) Along with the setting, a connection flag is set at the position indicating the access point in the corresponding time zone file (see FIG. 6).

Next, 00:00 am on May 25, 1996
Consider the case of communicating in minutes. The user's communication software (corresponding to "calling means" in claim 4) automatically calls the user based on the contents of the time zone file (Fig. 6). In FIG. 6, since the connection success rates of the access points “AP-1” and “AP-2” are both “100%” and the same, the call rate per unit time is “AP-2” which is cheap. Try to auto dial. However, the AP in the same file
-2, the connection prohibition flag is set (see FIG. 6), so the calling means does not dial AP-2, but AP-
Dial 1

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the recording medium of the present invention. This is a description of a recording medium for recording programs and data. Here, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk is used as the recording medium, or a ROM, a hard disk, etc. in the processing device are used. A memory is used as a recording medium, or a hard disk of a provider who provides programs and data via a line is used as a recording medium. Then, at or, the program or data read from the recording medium is loaded into the main memory of the processing device, and at or, the program or data is loaded from the recording medium to the main memory of the processing device through the line, and the various processes described above are started. ing.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the connection success rate of multiple access points is dynamically obtained and updated, and the connection is not made during the service suspension period, it is possible to efficiently and automatically connect even if the line is congested. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for setting a connection disable flag according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of connection success / connection failure processing according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example of an access point file of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of a time zone file of the present invention.

[Fig. 7] Example of operation stop message transmitted from the access point server system

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a recording medium of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Display device 2: Processing device 3: Connection means 4: Access point file 5: Time zone file 6: MODEM / TA (modem / terminal adapter) 7: Net 8: Access point

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-132950 (JP, A) JP-A-7-114505 (JP, A) JP-A-8-181794 (JP, A) JP-A-9- 294157 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 13/00 H04M 1/26-1/57

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A telephone number associated with an access point,
A storage unit that stores the connection efficiency and operation stop information for each predetermined time period, a receiving unit that receives a message including the operation stop time period information of the access point from the server system, and a message that the receiving unit receives. Update means for updating the operation stoppage time zone information of the access point stored in the storage means based on the above, and when the call is made, the calling time is set based on the information stored in the storage means. Among the access points that do not correspond to the suspension time zone, the calling means that sequentially makes a call from the telephone number with the highest connection success rate at the call time, and the memory of the connection success rate is updated based on the result of the call made by the calling means. An automatic dialing system, comprising: 2. The storage means further stores call charge information per unit time, and the calling means is stored in the storage means when there are telephone numbers having the same connection success rate. 2. The automatic dial system according to claim 1, wherein a telephone number with a low call charge is called first based on the call charge information. 3. An access point system comprising a server system and an automatic dialing system, wherein the server system comprises setting means for setting an operation stop time zone of the server and identification information for identifying an access point to stop the operation. , A transmission means for adding an operation stop flag indicating that there is an operation stop time zone to these pieces of information, and transmitting the information in a predetermined format to a terminal that has accessed the server, The dial system includes a storage unit that stores a telephone number associated with an access point, connectivity efficiency for each predetermined time period, and operation stop information, and a message from the server system including the operation stop time information of the access point. Receiving means for receiving the message, and storing in the storage means based on the message received by the receiving means. Based on the information stored in the storage means when making a call and the updating means for updating the operation stop time zone information of the corresponding access point, access in which the calling time does not correspond to the operation stop time zone Among the points, there is provided a calling means for calling in order from a telephone number having a higher connection success rate at a calling time, and an updating means for updating the storage of the connection success rate based on a calling result by the calling means. Access point system characterized by. 4. The storage means of the automatic dialing system further stores call charge information per unit time, and when the calling means of the automatic dialing system has telephone numbers with the same connection success rate. The access point system according to claim 3, wherein a telephone number having a low call charge is called first based on the call charge information stored in the storage means. 5. A storage means for storing a telephone number, a connection efficiency for each predetermined time zone, and operation stop information in association with a computer by an access point, and a server system for the operation time information of the access point. Receiving means for receiving a message including a message, updating means for updating the operation stop time zone information of the access point stored in the storage means based on the message received by the receiving means, and when making a call, Calling means that, based on the information stored in the storage means, makes a call in order from a telephone number with a high success rate of connection at the call time among the access points whose call time does not correspond to the operation stop time zone, A recording medium storing a program to be executed as an updating means for updating the storage of the connection success rate based on a calling result by the calling means.